Chapter 236: Return to Mu Family Village (5)_1
Mu Zhongqing had already spotted Zhui Feng and Zhu Yue, and asked, "Are these two valiant gentlemen the protectors that my daughter Wei’er has brought home?"
Lady Du laughed, "Look at your memory; we have met these two in the inn at Yushu County. Have you forgotten? They work under Wei’er’s Master, and I’ve seen them several times. I presume Wei’er’s Master must have been aware of the disturbances in our town that’s why they were sent to protect us."
Hearing these words, Mu Zhongqing laughed, "What a memory! I indeed forgot. Gentlemen, please don’t mind my forgetfulness."
Upon hearing the couple’s conversation, a stiff smile appeared on the faces of Zhui Feng and Zhu Yue. Not accustomed to engaging in casual small talk, being greeted enthusiastically and cordially by Mu Zhongqing and his wife was hard for them to get used to. They simply saluted with clenched fists and said tersely, "Old Master, Madam!"
Mu Zhongqing waved his hand, laughed, and said, "I hardly deserve such respect. You two valiant gentlemen are our saviors sent by the Master to protect our home. I’m not worthy of being addressed as the Old Master. If you don’t find it objectionable, please call me Uncle Mu."
Uncle Mu!
Zhui Feng and Zhu Yue were rendered speechless once more, preferring to refer to him with the respectful term "Old Master" than the affectionate term "uncle."
Cai Wei, observing the stiffness on their faces, mischievously suggested to her parents, "Dad, Mom, it’s quite cold outside. Let’s continue chatting inside. Let ’Bobblehead’ bring the things from the cart into the house so that they can rest soon."
Upon hearing Bobblehead’s peculiar name, Mu Zhongqing and his wife were surprised but, being well-mannered, didn’t pry further. They simply greeted him and went together inside the house.
Since they needed to rise early to return to Mu Family Village the next day, Cai Wei and her family retired early, and the night passed uneventfully.
The following morning, before dawn, Aunt Liu and Aunt Zhang got up to prepare breakfast. Today was New Year’s Eve, and tradition called for dumplings and fish for breakfast. Dumplings resembled yuanbao (a form of currency), and "fish" was a homophone for "surplus," symbolizing wealth and abundance for the New Year.
Since it was New Year’s Day, the family got up early, put on their new clothes, and looked neat and tidy. Cai Wei also brought out the new clothes she had bought for her father and asked him to put them on.